Piitsburgh, Pa.— In response to mistreatment of workers and violations of federal labor law, Sodexo cafeteria employees at University of Pittsburgh went on strike today. The workers, members of 32BJ SEIU who are currently in contract negotiations with the company, say that Sodexo is using illegal scare tactics to keep them and non-union Sodexo workers from getting the improvements their families need.
“Sodexo doesn’t respect us. I can’t afford to put my kids on the company insurance, but I don’t want to keep them on state insurance,” says Danielle Rue, a Sodexo worker whose children rely on state provided health care. “How can a company that made a billion dollars force me and my kids onto welfare? When we tried to stand up for ourselves, they violated our rights. They do it to non union workers too.”
According to charges filed last week with the National Labor Relations Board, Sodexo management has unleashed a campaign of coercion to keep workers from taking action for better jobs. The company has interrogated and threatened campus workers. Most recently, Sodexo management tried to prevent a union meeting by prohibiting workers, who were on their break, from leaving their jobsites.
Sodexo workers at the University of Pittsburgh are among the lowest paid employees at area universities. Union workers are asking for a family-sustaining wage, affordable health care and a fair process for non-union campus workers to organize. Currently, there are 150 Sodexo workers without a union at the school.
“These men and women work hard to serve students and make Sodexo successful but many of them can’t make support their families without public assistance,” said Gabe Morgan, 32BJ Western Pennsylvania Director. “Instead of raising standards for Pittsburgh’s families, multi-billion dollar Sodexo would rather use its immense resources attacking workers’ rights.”
“Our union and others are going to support striking SEIU Sodexo workers,” said Bill Cagney of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 95, who represents workers at the university. “Pitt is a responsible employer. But when the big multinational companies like Sodexo come into Pittsburgh and refuse to follow the law or provide family sustaining jobs, labor will stand together.”
In addition to the company’s reaction to its employee’s efforts for better jobs at University of Pittsburgh, Sodexo workers have filed labor board charges against the company in seven states.
With more than 120,000 members in eight states, including 16,000 in Pennsylvania, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
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updated 4/26/2010
